Mississippi State’s DJ Chester Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State offensive lineman DJ Chester has been named to the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, the Wuerffel Foundation announced Tuesday. The award recognizes the top college football players who demonstrate outstanding community service, leadership, and academic achievement.

Chester, who played 24 games with 14 starts at LSU before transferring to Mississippi State, is set to make his Bulldogs debut on Sept. 5 against ULM. His college accolades include 2024 Freshman All-SEC and SEC Academic Honor Roll honors.

Off the field, Chester’s JDC Thrive Foundation recently partnered with the Dream Center Golden Triangle’s Bedz 4 Kidz drive to provide safe and comfortable sleeping arrangements for children in need. More than 20 volunteers from the Mississippi State football team helped with the effort, alongside Chester and the Dream Center team.

The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner, reflecting his lifelong dedication to service and leadership. The 2026 watch list features 113 nominees nationwide. In September, 11 student-athletes will be selected from the list to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and semifinalists for the trophy. The recipient will be announced during the Dec. 11 College Football Awards show.

Wuerffel expressed pride in recognizing these athletes for their community impact, noting that their efforts demonstrate the positive influence college players can have both on and off the field.

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